As Bangladesh's judiciary continues to grapple with a mounting backlog of over four million pending cases, institutional Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms are increasingly being seen as a vital complement to the formal court system, reports BSS.
Against the backdrop, the Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre (BIAC) is positioning itself as a leading platform for resolving commercial disputes outside traditional litigation, offering businesses a faster, more structured and internationally aligned dispute resolution framework.
BIAC Chief Executive Officer K A M Majedur Rahman said the organisation was established with a forward-looking vision to provide Bangladesh with a credible and neutral forum for commercial dispute resolution.
"By promoting arbitration, mediation and other ADR mechanisms, BIAC is not only helping businesses resolve disputes efficiently but also easing pressure on the judiciary by reducing the number of suitable commercial cases entering the formal court system," he said.
Founded as a not-for-profit institution, BIAC began operations in April 2011 under a government licence issued in 2004. Over the years, it has grown into the country's only registered institutional ADR body dedicated to commercial disputes.
Legal experts say the growing importance of ADR reflects the increasing strain on the formal justice system. According to figures cited in Parliament by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, a total of 4,041,924 cases were pending in the lower courts as of December 31, 2025.
BIAC sources argue that this staggering backlog highlights the urgent need for stronger dispute resolution alternatives capable of preventing suitable cases from entering the court system at all.
"Bangladesh's economic growth requires a dispute resolution system that inspires confidence among both local businesses and international investors," said Majedur Rahman.
"We are working to build that confidence through neutral case administration, experienced arbitrators and mediators, internationally aligned rules, fast-track procedures and continuous capacity-building initiatives," he said.
